The story of the two silver dollars was soon known all about the village. Capt. Clark heard of it, and so did aunt Betsey, but she was careful not to say anything. She was so anxious, however, to see the new frock, that she made an excuse to call. She took one of her own flower-pots, containing a beautiful rose-bush in full bloom, and carrying it down, made Hesper a present of it.
Of course Hesper was delighted, for she was very fond of flowers, and when aunt Betsey saw how much real pleasure it gave her, she felt very kindly towards her, and said many things in praise of her good management.
Directly after aunt Betsey had left, the door was slowly opened, and Juliana Grimsby stole into the room. The poor girl acted very awkwardly, and Hesper thought she had never seen her look so ragged and dirty before. Her hair was all in a heap, and, as if conscious of her unattractive appearance, she did not raise her eyes from the floor when she spoke.
“I want something of you, Hesper,” she said, “but I am almost afraid to ask you.”
“O fie,” said Hesper, laughing, “don’t be afraid. What is it?”
“Well, mother said if I would ask you for a bit of your dress, she would try to get me one like it. But I told her you wouldn’t want me to have one from the same piece.”
“Why not?” said Hesper. “It would be just the thing; for then we could see which would keep them whole and clean the longest.”
“Nothing ever keeps whole or clean to our house,” said Juliana, with a doleful look. “I’ve got tired living so, for my part. You can’t think how much ashamed I feel when I peep into your room and see it looking so neat and orderly, while our house is nothing but dirt from one end to the other.”
“Can’t you get a chance to clear up a little, while Tommy is asleep,” asked Hesper.